The diseases of the will / by Th. Ribot.

  • Ribot, Th. (Théodule), 1839-1916.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The diseases of the will / by Th. Ribot. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the others. Its employment in one direction or the other depends on the nature of the individual. After having studied the annihilation of the will in its highest form, let us remark that in contemplation and profound reflexion may be found modified and diminishing forms of this annihilation. The inapti- tude of contemplative minds for action has physiologi- cal and psychological reasons of which ecstasy has given us the secret. 11. It would be as interesting for the psychologist as for the physiologist to know what produces abolition of consciousness in natural or provoked somnambu- lism, and from what organic conditions it results. In spite of the labors carried on with ardor during these last years there only exist theories on this point, and one can take one’s choice among several hy- potheses. Some, like Schneider and Berger, make it a result of “expectant attention,” producing a one- sided and abnormal concentration of consciousness. Preyer sees in it a special case of his theory of sleep. Others, like Rumpf, suppose that there are reflex changes in the cerebral circulation, phenomena of hyperaemia and anaemia in the surface of the hemi- spheres of the brain. Heidenhain, who combats this last theory, explains hypnotism by an inhibitive action. There might take place a suspension of activity in the cortical nerve-cells, perhaps by a change in molecular arrangement: in this way the functional movement of the grey matter would be interrupted. This last hy- pothesis is that which appears to gain the most adher- ents. As it is hardly more than a simple statement of